David Moyes expects Aaron Cresswell to be ‘touch and go’ to make his return from injury when West Ham United visit Burnley on Sunday, via quotes by the Evening Standard.
The full-back has missed the Irons’ last two Premier League fixtures, which saw the east London outfit draw with Brighton before beating rivals Chelsea at home last weekend.
Cresswell had sustained a back injury during West Ham’s prior loss at Manchester City, but has returned to training. The Etihad Stadium defeat marked the £50k-a-week 31-year-old’s 13th start of the season, having opened all games to that point.
Cresswell can give Moyes late injury boost
Cresswell’s inclusion in the Hammers line-up on Sunday would give Moyes a late boost. The Scot is without centre-halves Angelo Ogbonna and Kurt Zouma with long-term injuries, plus full-backs Ben Johnson and Ryan Fredericks.
Johnson had stood in for Cresswell against Brighton and Chelsea, but suffered an injury late in the first-half last week. Arthur Masuaku would now likely make his second start of the season so far if neither are available on Sunday.
But Moyes will give Cresswell every chance to overcome his back injury before West Ham make the trip to Burnley.
“Cress is doing much better, it will be touch and go if he makes it or not,” Moyes said.
“We’ve seen him out and about a little bit and he’s doing a bit more, feeling a bit more mobile than he has been. It would be important if we could get him back, it would help us a lot. We’ll give him every opportunity to try and make it.”
Cresswell return would help West Ham avoid added problems
Masuaku’s only previous Premier League start this season came against Manchester City when Moyes fielded him in front of Cresswell. But now starting against Burnley could raise other selection issues for a West Ham side dealing with multiple injuries.
Moyes altered his defence to a three-man core against Chelsea. But had to move Declan Rice back from midfield to replace Zouma, while Masuaku took over at wing-back.
The Scot could now start Rice at centre-half if the Irons’ do not welcome any players back before facing Burnley. So, West Ham will hope Cresswell can give Moyes a late injury boost.
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